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Islamic Culture. Islamic Culture. Islamic Religion. religion of allegiance to God and his prophet Mohammed who lived around 570-632 and came from a family of traders at Mecca. The religion's book of revelation, mediated by the prophet, is the Koran.
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Islamic Culture Islamic Culture
Islamic Religion • religion of allegiance to God and his prophet Mohammed • who lived around 570-632 and came from a family of traders at Mecca. • The religion's book of revelation, mediated by the prophet, is the Koran. • Islam means "entering into a condition of peace and security with God, through allegiance or surrender to him". • Mohammed received his revelations over a period of 23 years from the Angel Jibreel, or Gabriel, who was relaying the word of God. • In Muslim eyes, Mohammed completes a succession of prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, each of whom refined and restated the message of God.
Muhammad was born in 569 after Christ • Lost most family members • he served as a shepherd boy to some neighbors. • At the age of ten he accompanied his uncle to Syria when he was leading a caravan there. • set up a shop in Mecca. • There he worked for a wealthy widow • He called for a meeting of certain chieftains in the city, and organized an order of chivalry, called Hilf al-fudul, with the aim and object of aiding the oppressed in Mecca, irrespective of their being dwellers of the city or aliens.
It is from this moment that we find Muhammad becoming more and more absorbed in spiritual meditations. • Like his grandfather, he used to retire during the whole month of Ramadan to a cave in Jabal-an-Nur (mountain of light). • The cave is called `Ghar-i-Hira' or the cave of research. There he prayed, meditated, and shared his provisions with the others who happened to pass by.
He was forty years old, and it was the fifth consecutive year since his annual retreats, when one night towards the end of the month of Ramadan, an angel came to visit him, and announced that God had chosen him as His messenger to all mankind. • The angel taught him the mode of ablutions, the way of worshipping God and the conduct of prayer.
Then came a pause in revelation, extending over three years. • The news of the first vision had spread and at the pause the skeptics in the city had begun to mock at him and cut bitter jokes. They went so far as to say that God had forsaken him. • During the three years of waiting. the Prophet had given himself up more and more to prayers and to spiritual practices. • revelations were then resumed and God guided him to the right path: therefore he should take care of the orphans and the destitute, and proclaim the bounty of God on him • This was in reality an order to preach; revelation; warn people against evil practices, to exhort them to worship none but the One God, and to abandon everything that would displease God
The Mission • The Prophet began by preaching his mission secretly first among his intimate friends, then among the members of his own tribe and thereafter publicly in the city and suburbs. • He took necessary steps to preserve through writing the revelations he was receiving, and ordered his adherents also to learn them by heart. This continued all through his life, since the Quran was not revealed all at once, but in fragments as occasions arose. • opposition degenerated in the course of time into physical torture of the Prophet and of those who had embraced his religion. These were stretched on burning sands, cauterized with red hot iron and imprisoned with chains on their feet. Some of them died of the effects of torture, but none would renounce his religion.
Social Boycott • When a large number of the Meccan Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, religious opponents sent an ultimatum to the tribe of the Prophet, demanding that he should be excommunicated and outlawed and delivered to the pagans for being put to death. • Every member of the tribe, Muslim and non-Muslim rejected the demand. • Thereupon the city decided on a complete boycott of the tribe: Nobody was to talk to them or have commercial or matrimonial relations with them. • During the boycott, many children, men and women, the old and the sick and the feeble starved to death • After three dire years, four or five non-Muslims, more humane than the rest and belonging to different clans proclaimed publicly their denunciation of the unjust boycott which ended this boycott
The Ascension • It was at this time that the Prophet Muhammad was granted the mi'raj (ascension): He saw in a vision that he was received on heaven by God, and was witness of the marvels of the celestial regions. • Returning, he brought for his community, as a Divine gift, the [ritual prayer of Islam, the salaat], which constitutes a sort of communion between man and God. • The news of this celestial meeting led to an increase in the hostility of non believers and the Prophet was chased out of Mecca by pelting stones which wounded him.
Madinah • The annual pilgrimage of the Ka'bah brought to Mecca people from all parts of Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad tried to persuade one tribe after another to afford him shelter and allow him to carry on his mission of reform. • inhabitants of Madinah a neighbor of the Jews and the Christians, had some notion of prophets and Divine messages and were awaiting the arrival of a prophet - a last comforter. • Madinans embraced Islam, and led a contingent of seventy-three new converts to Mecca, at the time of the pilgrimage. • Many Muslims emigrated to Madinah. • In 622, the Prophet relocated to Madinah whence starts the Hijrah calendar.
Reorganization of the Community • co-ordinated religion and politics and he invited the representatives of the Muslims , non-Muslim inhabitants of the region: Arabs, Jews, Christians and others, and suggested the establishment of a City-State in Madinah. • developed a written constitution - the first of its kind in the world - in which he defined the duties and rights both of the citizens and the head of the State - the Prophet Muhammad was unanimously hailed as such - and abolished the customary private justice. • The administration of justice became henceforward the concern of the central organization of the community of the citizens. • The document laid down principles of defense and foreign policy: it organized a system of social insurance, called ma'aqil, in cases of too heavy obligations. • It recognized also explicitly liberty of religion, particularly for the Jews • Muhammad journeyed to neighboring tribes to form treaties of alliance and mutual help. They joined against Mecca.
Struggle Against Intolerance and Unbelief • the Meccans sent an ultimatum to the Madinans, demanding the surrender or at least the expulsion of Muhammad and his companions they sent a powerful army against the Prophet but lost • After a year of preparation, the Meccans again invaded • Some Jews still remaining inside Madinah joined with Mecca at a later stage upset all strategy, yet with a sagacious diplomacy, the Prophet succeeded in breaking up the alliance, and the different enemy groups retired one after the other. • Alcoholic drinks, gambling and games of chance were at this time declared forbidden for the Muslims.
The Reconciliation • The Prophet was then successful at Hudaibiyah in the suburbs of Mecca, not only the maintenance of peace, but also the observance of neutrality in their conflicts with third parties. • The Prophets religion spread to the foreign rulers of Byzantium, Iran, Abyssinia and other lands. The Byzantine autocrat priest - Dughatur of the Arabs - embraced Islam, but for this, was lynched by the Christian mob; the prefect of Ma'an (Palestine) suffered the same fate, and was decapitated and crucified by order of the emperor. A Muslim ambassador was assassinated in Syria-Palestine; • Mecca hoping to profit by the Muslim difficulties, violated the terms of their treaty. • Upon this, the Prophet himself led an army, ten thousand strong, and surprised Mecca which he occupied in a bloodless manner where he granted a general amnesty. Without leaving a single soldier in the conquered city, the Prophet retired to Madinah. The Islamization of Mecca, which was accomplished in a few hours, was complete.
In all these "wars," extending over a period of ten years, all the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and the southern regions of Iraq and Palestine had voluntarily embraced Islam. Some Christian, Jewish and Parsi groups remained attached to their creeds, and they were granted liberty of conscience as well as judicial and juridical autonomy. • In the year 10 H., when the Prophet went to Mecca for Hajj (pilgrimage), he met 140,000 Muslims there, who had come from different parts of Arabia to fulfill their religious obligation. • He addressed to them his celebrated sermon, in which he gave a resume of his teachings: "Belief in One God without images or symbols, equality of all the Believers without distinction of race or class, the superiority of individuals being based solely on piety; sanctity of life, property and honor; abolition of interest, and of vendettas and private justice; better treatment of women; obligatory inheritance and distribution of the property of deceased persons among near relatives of both sexes, and removal of the possibility of the cumulation of wealth in the hands of the few." • The Quran and the conduct of the Prophet were to serve as the bases of law and a healthy criterion in every aspect of human life.
The Koran therefore corroborates, updates and expands the Old and New Testaments. • It contains 114 chapters, written in vivid, rhyming prose, and was settled in its current form within 30 years of Mohammed's death. • Main tenets Central to Islam is the absolute sense that there can only be one God - Allah - and that he is the source of all creation and disposer of all lives and events. Hence, there is no God but God and Mohammed is his messenger. • All people should become a single Umma - community - witnessing to that fact. On the day of judgment, all will rise from the dead and be sent to heaven or hell.
The Koran contains many moral exhortations, forming the basis of Islamic (sharia) law. • It lays down generosity and fairness and the requirements for daily prayer, alms giving, abstinence during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca.
After the prophet's death his community split into followers of the caliph Abu Bakr and those who supported Mohammed's closest relative, his son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. • This division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni (followers of the custom of the caliphate) persists to this day. Although both share most of the customs of the religion, Shiites place more emphasis on the guiding role of the imam. • About 90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia.
Contributions of Islamic Culture architects designed buildings that defied gravity. mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.
The basis of the study of optics can be attributed directly to the Muslims. Al-Hassen bin Al-Haythem is considered the founder of this field. He and Al-Beirouni also logically came to the conclusion, in disagreement with Aristotle, that the speed of light is constant and that light is composed of extremely small particles moving at extremely high speeds, which is the basis of the quantum nature of light, an endlessly celebrated tribute to 20th century science
. Muhammad bin Mousa Al-Khawarizmi is considered the founder of modern algebra • Ghiath Edden Al-Kashi, approximated pi to 16 places past the decimal point. • The system know as Pascal’s triangle, which assists in factoring equations in the form of (a + b)n, was developed by Al-Karkhi, and not Louis Pascal. • Later Muslim mathematicians were able to factor equations as complex as fourth degree equations; fifth degree equations are impossible to factor • The contribution of Muslim mathematicians to algebra is integral to the development of all sciences as mathematics is frequently referred to as the language of science.
Ibn Sina’s text the Canon of Medicine, was used as a text in Europe for centuries later, and its popularity dwarfed the books of Galen and Hippocrates. • Physicians like Abul Qasim al-Zahrawi, Ibn Sina, and Ali Abbas, wrote texts on surgery that would form the foundations of Western Surgery
Ibn Battuta was the only medieval traveler who is known to have visited the lands of every Muslim ruler of his time. He also traveled in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), China, Byzantium and Russia. The mere extent of his travels is estimated at over 75,000 miles • The famous traveler Ibn Battuta lived by the motto - 'never, if possible, cover any road a second time'. Fifty years earlier than Marco Polo, he traveled, on horse, camel, foot and boat, through all manner of lands, including West Africa where he visited Timbuktu, Mali and Niger. • His interest was not only confined to geography. He vividly described the prevailing political, economic and social conditions, the position of women and religious matters. He was appointed Qadi (Chief judge) of Delhi, and spent the last twenty-three years of his life as Qadi of Fez, Morocco, writing his comprehensive travel document.
Ibn Battuta started on his travels when he was 21 years old in 1325. His main reason to travel was to go on a Hajj, or the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), as all Muslims are instructed to do. But his traveling went on for about 29 years and he covered about 75,000 miles visiting the equivalent of 44 modern countries. • He met many dangers and had many adventures along the way. He was attacked by bandits, almost drowned in a sinking ship and was almost beheaded by a tyrant ruler on his travels! • Near the end of Ibn Battuta's own life, the Sultan of Morocco insisted that Ibn Battuta dictate the story of his travels to a scholar and today we can read translations of that story called "Rihla - My Travels". It is a valuable and interesting record of places which add to our understanding of the Middle Ages.
The Five Pillars of Wisdom • There are five duties that one must live by if one is a Muslim, these are often called the Five Pillars of Islam. • Shahada This is the main religious belief of all Muslim people and it is a declaration of their faith. The English words are; • There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Or as some muslims prefer... "There is no god but the One God" meaning there is only one God for all mankind. • Anyone who says these words and means it can become a Muslim.
Salah This is prayer. Muslims pray five times a day and follow a special ritual to do so. Firstly they wash (wudu). This is a special process... • Wash hands up to the wrist three times • Wash mouth three times • Wash nostrils, breathing in and out through the nose three times • Wash arms up to elbows three times • Wipe head with wet hands, forehead to back, back to forehead • Rub outside the ears with wet fingers, inside with wet thumbs at the same time • Wash feet up to the ankles three times • Raise one's face to the sky, pointing up with the index finger. • The water must be pure, if there is no clean water sand may be used. The prayers are all said at the same times each day: • Fajr- Morning, between dawn and sunrise • Zuhr - Mid-day or early afternoon • Asr - Late afternoon • Maghrib - Evening, around sunset • Isah - Night, before going to bed
ZAKATThis is about looking after other people. Each Muslim gives up a share of his wealth each year to provide for those less fortunate. The word zakat means to purify or cleanse. As the person gives up a share of his or her wealth they become cleansed from selfishness and greed. This money might be to provide education, keep up or build mosques or help the needy.
HAJJAll Muslims have a duty to try to make a pilgrimage to the Ka'aba in Makkah at least once during their lifetime. Very often whole families will save to send one person at a time. The men who make the pilgrimage wear an ihram which is made up of two sheets. They must not be sewn. Also they wear special open shoes. This clothing is a symbol of peace and obedience to God. The pilgrimage follows a set pattern.
There is a day of preparation. The person bathes, dresses in the ihram and tells everyone that he intends to perform hajj. He walks round the Ka'aba seven times and usually kisses the black stone. The Ka'aba is a cube covered in a black cloth (kiswa) and it has a special black stone in the corner where Abraham stood. • Day 1, the pilgrims move to Mina about three miles away to get here for the prayers at noon. They stay there over night. • Day 2 sees the journey from Mina to Arafat by noon. A sermon is preached and pilgrims stay there until sunset. This is the most important part of a pilgrimage. After sunset they travel to Muzdalifa for the evening and night prayers
Day three is the Day of Sacrifice. Pilgrims collect a bag of tiny pebbles which they carry back to Mina. • They throw seven stone on Jamara 'Agba in memory of the time that Abraham dismissed Satan in this way. When that is complete a sacrifice of a goat or a sheep is made, again that is in memory of when Abraham was going to sacrifice his son as God had ordered. Once that is complete the pilgrim cuts off a lock of his hair.They walk once again round the Ka'aba on the way back to Makkah and then dress in their normal clothes. • Days four, five and six are for relaxation. • The effect of the pilgrimage is to bring together the community and strengthen it.
SAUMThis is all about Ramadam. The ninth month of the Islam calendar. It is special because it is when Muhammad (Pbuh) began receiving the messages from God. For thirty days Muslims fast, they do not eat or drink during daylight hours. It start when the new moon is seen at the start of the month and ends when the new moon is seen again at the end of the month. The fast is to remind them how difficult it is to be poor, hungry and thirsty in a hot place. It reminds them to thank God for his gift of the Qur'an. It also serves to make them think about the essentials and luxuries of life and so not be greedy
Festival of Eid ul-Fitr • At the end of Ramadam which is the thirty day fast there are a huge celebration. Everyone dresses in their best clothes. They go to the mosque to pray together. Special celebration meals are served up. Everyone has a holiday and many big family groups of relations all get together. Children are given sweets, presents and often new clothes. Muslims send cards to each other to celebrate this special time. They often make offerings to the poor and sometimes buy each other presents.
Eid-ul-Adha • This is the other big festival every year. It coincides with the Hajj. It is to remember the time when Abraham was going to sacrifice his own son to prove obedience to God. Muslims consider that Abraham was a prophet or messenger from God. Again they go to the mosque together for prayers. Later in the day they sacrifice a sheep and give one third of the meat away to remember Abraham's sacrifice.
Children learn about Islam from birth. As soon as a baby is born the first words it will hear are the Shahadah (the declaration of faith). Muslim baby boys are circumcised whilst young. This is very often done at the same time as the head shaving ceremony. On the seventh day of a baby's life his or her hair will be shaved off and the equivalent weight of gold given to the poor. An offering follows. Two sheep if it is a boy and one if it is a girl. The meat is cooked and shared between the whole family and visitors.
